Well apparatus and system



Oct. 8, 1957 H. u. GARRETT EI'AL 2,808,781

WELL. APPARATUS AND SYSTEM Filed June 11, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet '1 Henry Gar/eff Robe/f W D/nn/nq ,C// ffo'ro M- Fe fer;

INVENTORS A 77'0R/VEYS Oct. 8, 1957 H. u. GARRETT ETAL 2,808,781

WELL APPARATUS AND SYSTEM Filed June 11, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 C/uforo M. Fe e/J INVENTORS V BYKMIW ATTORNEYS Oct. 8, 1957 H. u. GARRETT ET AL 2,808,781

WELL APPARATUS AND SYSTEM Filed June 11, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 cv/ffom M. Peze/J l I INVENTORS .v (KZTOKP E Ks United States WELL APPARATUS AND SYSTEM Application June 11, 1954, Serial No. 435,984

21 Claims. (Cl. 103-4) This invention relates to a well apparatus and system of the type employing two conduits or tubing strings extending into a well wherein fluid, such as lifting gas, flows between at least one of the conduits and another or the well bore, particularly at spaced vertical intervals along the conduits. A typical example of the use of such an apparatus and system is in the dual production of a Well from upper and lower zones by gas lifting the production from such zones through separate well conduits.

It is frequently desirable and necessary to employ two separate conduits in a well in order to perform'c ertain operations therein, such as producing oil from two separate production zones. State conservation laws almost without exception require that the production from such zones not be intermingled so that when it is desired to produce such zones simultaneously, it is necessary to employ two well conduits, each in separate communication with one zone. Frequently, the zones will have different productivity indices, bottom hole pressures, and other characteristics so that each must be treated individually in considering their modes of production. It has been proposed to gas lift the production from the two zones through the respective tubing strings by means of gas lift valves injecting gas into the respective tubing strings. Thus each tubing string is provided with a series of such valves to unload the well and then to gas lift the well after the unloading operation. Quite frequently one series of valves is provided to open and close responsive to injection gas pressure while the other series is provided, in an effort to avoid interference with the first series, to open and close responsive to pressure in the tubing string into which they control the flow of injection gas. The valves in each series have their operating characteristics determined, of course, primarily by factors related to the tubing string they serve and not necessarily related to the other tubing string. One of the difliculties encountered in such a system is that not infrequently valveson one or more of the tubing strings will function when they are not supposed to despite their being controlled by different sources of pressures thereby interfering with proper gas lifting of the well.

In some dual zone producing systems, it would be desirable to employ casing pressure responsive valves on both strings of tubing. In such an installation, a working valve would desirably be provided for each tubing string with each such working valve set to open atsubstantially the same casing pressure even though the valves might very well be situated at different levels in the well. However, if apparatus heretofore known were employed to make up such a system, it is entirely possible during production of the well that the casing would unintentionally be unloaded to such point as to cause a valve to inject gas into one tubing string below the desired operatingvalve thereon. In many installations, such lower valve would have an operating characteristic causing it to open at a lower casing pressure than the next higher valve on the other tubing string. In such event, either the casing pressure would decrease sufficiently so. that the next atent Q for more tubing strings ineffective to permit the flow of fluid, such as lifting gas, into or out of either one or more tubing strings and to be able to so render them ineffective by a manipulation in only one of the tubing strings whereby flow into or out of one string could be controlled by an operation conducted in another string, thereby eliminating conducting such operations in both the tubing strings. Thus, where a wire line operation is depended upon for such manipulation, it would be possible to operate the wire line tool within a single tubing string to control both tubing strings and such operation would be both more convenient and more economical. Also, in many installations, one of the tubing strings comprises a so,-called macaroni string which is a conduit having a considerably smaller diameter than ordinary well tubing. For example, the macaroni string may vary in. diameter from inch to 1% inches, whereas ordinary tubing is usually 2 inches or larger in diameter. The macaronitype of tubing is resorted to for several reasons including lack of space within the well casing for two conventionally sized tubings, a sufficiently low production from one zone that the small tubing can handle the same, etc. Whatever may be the reason for its use, it is regarded as being too small to make wire line operations feasible therein. This factor makes it particularly desirable, if

indeed not requisite, to possess an apparatus and system so constructed and arranged thatall necessary wire line operations for controlling the macaroni string are conducted in the larger conventional tubing. It will, be understood, however, that the apparatus and system of this invention are not limited to use in conjunction with a macaroni string but are usable with well conduits in. general.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a well apparatus and system in which flow into or out of one conduit in a well can be controlled by manipulation in another conduit also inthe well as by a wire line tool lowered into such other conduit and manipulated from the earths surface.

Another object is to provide such an apparatus and system particularly adapted for use in the production of a well from two separate zones without-comingling the production from such zones wherein one zone is produced through so-called macaroni tubing which is too small to permit-a feasible wire line operation therein and yet flow into' or out of such tubing can be controlled through another conduit in the well.

Another object is to provide an apparatus and system in which the flow of fluid into or out of one conduit in a Well is normally controlled by a'flow control valve, but where such flow can be prevented independently of'such valve by shutting off its communication with the conduit through manipulating a valve means from another conduit in the well.

Another object is to provide an apparatus and system in which flow into or out of either one of two conduits .in a well at preselected points along their length can be controlled by manipulation, such as a wire line operation, in only one of the conduits whereby'it is not necessary to perform the manipulation separately in each of the conduits, the apparatus and system finding particular advantage where one of the conduits is too small to permit such manipulation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a mandrel or housing having separate passages therethrough adapted to be connected to form a part of two conduits in a well, the mandrel providing a flow passageway from its exterior to one of the passages and also providing a valve member movable by a manipulation inthe other passage so as to control flow through the passageway.

Another object of this invention is to provide such a mandrel or housing wherein the valve member constitutes a sleeve in such other passage, the sleeve having a portion of the passageway disposed therein so that movement of the sleeve brings such portion of the passageway into and out of register with the remainder of the passageway in the mandrel thereby opening and closing such passageway to flow into and out of the conduitbeing controlled.

Other objects, advantages and features of this invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art upon a consideration of the written specification, the appended claims, and the attached drawings wherein: Fig. l is a schematic representation of a well illustrating oneembodiment of the system of this invention partic ularly illustrating how. the system can be employed for dual production of a well; i i

Fig. 2 is a vertical view showing a development of one embodiment of the apparatus of this inventionas adapted for gas lift purposes, the parts of the apparatus being shown in position for permitting flow of fluid into .a mac- ,aroni string; Fig. 3 is a view taken along the lines .33 of Fig. 2, it heingnoted that Fig. 3 represents the preferred plan :orientation of element whereasin Fig. 2, the elements have been rotated somewhat to-provide a clearer showing, such rotation being indicated-by the line 2-2 of Fig. 3 on which the view of Fig; 2 is taken; 7 a

:Fig. 4is a view similar to Fig. 2, except that the parts of the apparatus have been moved to interrupt flow of fluid into or out of the macaroni string and further illustratesa wire line tool for efiecting movement of the parts between their Fig. 2 and their Fig. 4 positions; and

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrates-another embodiment of the manner of mounting the macaroni string, the gas lift valve shown in Fig. 2 having been omitted for convenience.

Like characters of reference are used throughout the severalviews to designate like parts.

Referring first to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, it will be seen that in the preferred embodiment of the apparatus, there provided a mandrel comprising a housing 16 which is adapted to be connected as a part of a tubing string 11 and a macaroni string 12 (Fig; 2). Thns, the housing provided with a passage 13 therethroughwiththreads 14 and 15 at its respective ends for connection with tubing 11 one such connection being through adapter and retainer 16. Housing has another passage 17 therethrough, as defined by a slip joint of tubing 18 which is connectable as by couplings 19 at its opposite ends to the macaroni string 12. 'Tubing 18 is slidably received within a bore in housing 10 for limited longitudinal movement therein in order that the macaroni string can be properlymade up along with tubing 11 as they are being lowered into the well. For example, housing 10 can be screwed to theupper end .of a joint of tubing 11 and then tubing is insertedthrough its bore in the housing and screwed into coupling 19. The fact that tubing 18 can to alimited extent be-slid upwardly or downwardly in the bore in the housing permits the make-up of. threads in coupling 19 and accommodates variations in length .tof macaroni string 12 relative to tha of tubing 11. v a i I i 2' Suitable seals, such as O-rings 20, can be provided to prevent flow of fluid between tubing 18 the bore re.- eeiving the samel Y Housing 10 is provided with a passageway, designated generally by the numeral 21, communicating between the exterior of the housing and the interior of the passage J1 the {m sin whis asslsst an flowin throu h t macaroni string. Where the well is cased with a conduit or where the bore of the well itself is termed a conduit, this passageway can then be said to communicate between two conduits in the well or, for example, between conduit 12 and a space or flow-way (tubing-casing annulus) exteriorly of both conduits 11 and 12. Thus, the passageway can comprise a port 22 communicating between the exterior of the housing and the interior of passage 13 such as v a a r u fs nt fl wsma c td s w aroun thepassage. Another port 24 is provided between passage 13 such as via circumferential groove 15 and the interior of passage 17 via circumferential groove 26 and one or more slots 27 cut through tubing 18 and communieating-with gorove 26. It will be notedthat by making slots 27 of substantial length and yet not long enough to extend beyond seals 20 when tubing 18 is slid from one extreme longitudinal position to the other, such sliding movement of tubing 18 is permitted without disrupting communication between passage 17 and circumferential groove 26. In this connection, tubing 18 can be provided yvith a shoulder 28 adapted to abut the upper end 29 of housing 10 to limit movement of tubing 18 in one direction and the upper end 30 of coupling 19 will abut the lower end 31 of housing 10 to limitmovement of tubing 18 in the other direction. By properly spacing the distance be: tween shoulders 28 and 30 relative to that between shoulders 29 and 31, it will be possible to permit limited lcngitudinal movement of tubing 1.8 and yet maintain communicationbetween slot 27 and groove 26 without having the .end of the slot extend past seals 20.

Valve means are provided in the housing so as to be operable by a manipulation conducted through tubing 11 and .within passage 13 to open and close passageway 21, thereby positively interrupting or permitting fluid flow into. or out of macaroni string 1-2. Such valve means can comprise a sleevevalve 32 movable in passage 13 to dispose an imperforate portion 33, which can be termed a valve member, of the sleeve across groove 23 and thereby block flowthrlough passageway 21. In a preferred embodiment, a portion 34 of passageway 21 is disposed in the sleeve so that movement of the sleeve .bringssuch passageway portion into and out of register with the remainder of thepassageway in housing It). This passageway portion can comprise two spaced apart circumferential grooves 35 and 36 interconnected by short passages 37. Then, as illustrated in Fig. 2, fluid can flow from-port 22 through grooves 23 and 35, passageway 37, grooves 36 and Hand finally through port 24 and slot 27 into passage 17 in tubing 18. However, upon shifting t the e t th s io s own i Fi m forate portion 33 of the sleeve is placed across port 22 n a e ay s tivs will be sh ted to be out of register with port 22-and groove :23, thereby interrupting 119W tb ss pa e 21 n th u assa e a P tion 34 remains in communication with port 24.

In order to prevent any flow between the sleeve 32 and the inner wall of passage-13, suitable sealing means, such as O-rings 38, 39 and 40, can be disposed between the sleeve and the wall of passage 13 on either side of grooves .23 and 25 as well as therebetween. Then with the sleeve in either its Fig. 2 or its Fig. 4 position, flow between the sleeve and the inner wall of passage 13 is stis tiv v r d- Frorn Figs. 2 and 4, it will be seen that sleeve 32 is slt i a ls b een t o PQ l Q n Pas a e .1 T9 mi movement of the sleeve to be between these two positions, stop parts can be provided such as shoulder 41 .on housing 10 which abuts a lower end 42 of the sleeve and aplurality of segments 43 providing a shoulder 4.4 t ab men i h upper nd 4.5 of es s Th rea n s a e as tuned t s it assem o t e e a d a e hel is Pla b he ls sr sud aiss ns int a a ms 46 hi e th r p r ends t les bet ee p -67 o r tai e ip e 1. a the pper end-4 f t inn rwal of pas agelfii Connecting means, such as threads, are provided in passageway 21 to permit the attachment of a flow control valve 49 so that it controls flow through the passageway. This flow control valve can be any conventional type of gas lift valve such as one employing a pressure charge to hold the valve in closed position and which is responsive to the pressure in the Well bore orcasing to move the valve between open and closed positions.

In order to maintain the sleeve in either one of its preselected positions in passage 13, a releasable detent is provided between the sleeve and the housing 16 tending to hold the sleeve in one of its positions until a force of predetermined magnitude is applied to move it to the other position. Such detent means can comprise an outwardly biased spring tension ring 50 carried in a groove 51 in the sleeve and engaging spaced apart grooves 52 and 53 in the housing. The distance grooves 52 and 53 are spaced apart is equal to the distance the sleeve is to be moved between its predetermined positions. With this co'nstructioman upward pull on the sleeve, for example, will cause the ring 50 to retract into groove 51 until it reaches groove 52 where it will again spring out to releasably retain the sleeve in its upper or Fig. 4 position.

The sleeve is provided with a part permitting it to be engaged by means in conduit 11 to shift the sleeve. Such means is illustrated in Fig. 4 as a wire line tool. The tool is illustrated only diagrammatically and for a full detailed disclosure of its construction and operation, reference is made to co-pending application Serial No. 330,294, filed January 8, 1953. Briefly, it comprises a body 54 carried by wire line 55 to raise and lower the body through the tubing. Also, there is included an out-, wardly biased dog 56 mounted on a shear pin and adapted to engage the lower end 42 of sleeve 32. By lowering the body through the sleeve until dog 56 engages this lower end, an upward pull on the wire line will move sleeve 32 from its Fig. 2 to its Fig. 4 position after which the shear pin mounting for the dog is severed permitting the dog to be retracted. Another dog 57 is also provided and is normally held retracted until dog 56 has been retracted after which dog 57 springs outwardly into position such that it can engage the upper end of 45 of sleeve 32. In using this type of shifting tool, and in originally moving the sleeve from its Fig. 4 to its Fig. 2 position, the tool is lowered through the sleeve until lower dog 56 engages the lower end of sleeve after which an upward pull causes the shear pin mounting for this dog to shear thereby permitting the dog to retract. The upper dog 57 then is caused to engage the top of the sleeve and the sleeve moved downwardly as by jarring. The shifting tool can then be removed from the well. On the other hand, when it is desired to move the sleeve from its Fig. 2 to its Fig. 4 position, the shifting tool is merely lowered through the sleeve until dog 56 engages the lower end thereof and then the sleeve is moved to closed position after which dog 56 is retracted and the tool removed from the well.

Referring now to Fig. 5, there is shown a slightly different embodiment in which passage 17 is provided in a short section of the housing 17a, this short section being threaded to receive at one of its ends the macaroni tubing 12, and at its other end a slip tube 18a. The slip tube is joined to the macaroni string 12 by means of a slide coupling assembly comprising a telescoping member 18b telescoping with the lower end of slip tube 18a. Opposing shoulders 180 and 18d are respectively provided to maintain the telescoping connection. Additionally, seals, such as O-rings 182 can be provided to prevent escape of fluid from the macaroni tubing. This arrangement is otherwise the same as that illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4 and has the advantage of decreasing the size of housing as well as increasing the simplicity of the sliding .coupling assembly for the macaroni tubing. It will be understood that passageway 21 can be constructed the same as in Fig. 2 and that a flow control valve, such as at 49 in Fig. 2, can also be employed. The outer terminus of this passageway and valve .49 have been omitted from this figure for the sake of clarity. 7

Referring now to Fig.1, there is shown a well having one embodiment of the apparatus of this invention in stalled therein and further illustrates one embodiment of the system of the invention. Thus, a well casing 59 is shown to extend past an upper producing formation 60 to a lower producing formation '61. The casing is of course perforated at 62 to permit communication with formation 60. Tubing string 11 and macaroni string 12 are shown disposed in the well and packing means63 are provided to prevent flow in the well between the upper and lower producing formations. Likewise, an upper packer 64 can be provided to isolate zone 60 from injection gas which is illustrated here as being injected into the tubing-casing annulus 65 via an inlet 66. It will be noted that at least one of tubing strings 11 and ,12 ex tends through packer 63 and both through'packer 64. An inlet is provided in these tubing strings to permit communication respectively with the upper and lower producing formations. This inlet can comprise merely a standing valve (not illustrated) at the lower end of each of the tubing strings permitting flow thereinto. If desired, both tubing strings can extend downwardly through packer 63 in which event the one which is to produce the upper formation would be closed off below this packer and would have a side opening above it to permit inflow from the upper formation.

A plurality of the devices illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4 are disposed as spaced vertical intervals along the tubing strings. These intervals can be determined by spacing principles known to those skilled in gas lift practices.

When it is desired to inject gas into tubing 11, a plu rality of gas lift'valves can be provided for this tubing string. Thus, these valves can be mounted exteriorly of tubing 11 by conventional mandrels or by mandrels of the type shown in copending application Serial No. 330,294, filed January 8, 1953, or they can be mounted interiorly of the tubing in mandrel 68 as described in either of copending applications Serial No. 374,296, now Patent No. 2,768,673, filed August 14, 1953, and Serial No. 414,924, filed March 9, 1954. In the event the types of mandrels shown in these'latter two applications are employed, the gas lift valves are lauded by wire line in such mandrels and at the same time, communication is established between the valves and the exterior of the mandrels permitting the valves to control gas injected into tubing 11. Such valves would, of course, have to be removed by wire line operation whenever it was desired to shift a sleeve positioned below such a valve.

In operation, the tubing strings can, for example, be made up as Fig. 1 and the packers set in the well. The well can then be dumped according to conventional prac tice using the upper dumping valves on each of the tubing strings. After the well has been dumped, all valves except the working valve are rendered ineffective to inject fiuid into the tubing by merely lowering the wire line tool illustrated in Fig. 4 and moving the sleeves associated with such valves to closed position thereby preventing any gas from flowing into'the macaroni string. Similarly, when mandrels of the type shown in the aboveidentified copending applications are employed, all of valves on tubing string 11 except the working valve can either be pulled from thewell or rendered ineffective.

With suchsystem, it is possible to use gas lift valves on one string of tubing which areoperated by casing pressure and valves on the other string which are operated by fluid in such string and yet valve interference is eliminated since only preselected operating valves on each string control injection into the strings and even if another valve on either string was to open, gas couldnot be injected at such point. Further, it is possible to make all valves on both strings of the casing pressure oper ated type andyet avoid injection ofgasexcept at pre- 7 selected working valves irrespective of-variations in casing pressure which would normally open other valves on one or both tubing strings.

While particular-reference has sheenmade in the foregoing to-the gas-lift production of wells, --it will be obvious that the apparatus of this-invention-is susceptible of other uses. -'For example, it is possible to use the apparatus of this invention to control-flow of production into the-macaroni string from one-or -more producing formations. Then, should it be desirable to shut in pro duction-from such formation without closing any master valve at the surface of the welhthe wi-re line tool canbe run into the well and-the sleeve at this oil inlet-moved to'closed position. Further,-the apparatusis usefulas chemical injection controllers for wells. Other uses will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The term ilow control valve as used herein will be understood to encompass not only conventional pressure charged or spring loaded gas lift-valves,-but also other types of flow controlling means such as orifices,-etc. Also, it'is to be understood that the fiuid flow through passageway 21 of the control assemblies of this invention can'be either into or out of the various conduits depending upon which are selectedto conduct fluids into or out of the-well. Further, although considerable reference has been made herein to macaroni tubing, it will-be understoodthat all conduits or tubing can be conventional size and yet many of'the advantages of'the invention canbe realized.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this-invention is one well adapted to attain all ofthe ends and objects hereinabove set forth, together with other advantages which are obvious .and which are inherent to the apparatus.

It will'be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and-is within-the scope of the claims.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing 'fl'OIIl the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set-forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Theinvention having been described what is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for controlling, by means manipulatable from the surface of the earth through a first conduit in a well, flow of fluid between a second conduit and a third conduit which are also in the well which comprises, in combination, a housing adapted tobe connected as a part of the first and second conduits and having separate first and second passages therethrough adapted to respectively conduct through the housing any flow through the'first and second conduits, a flow passageway disposed at least in part in the housingadapted to provide communication when open between the third conduit and said second passage, valve meansin the housing movable to open and close said passageway and including a part exposed in said first passage for manipulation of said valve means from the earths surface to move the same between open and closed positions.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said valve means include a sleeve in said first passage having an imperforate portion movable across said passageway upon movement of the sleeve to said closed position.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said valve means includea sleeve having a portion of said passageway situated therein so that movement of the sleeve to open and closed positions respectively moves said passageway portion into and out of register with t'ne remainder of the passageway in the housing.

L A well apparatus for controlling, by means of a manipulation taking place in a first conduit in a well bore, the flow t fluid between the well bore and a second conduit also. in theiwellborewliich.comprises, in com:

bination: a housing having first and second passages therethrough which are'adapted to be connected with the first conduit and the second conduit respectively so thatfluid flowing through the first and second conduits likewise flows through the housing; and flow means includingra flow passageway having at least a portion thereof in said housing and communicating when open between the exterior of said housing and said second passage thereby permitting a'controlled flow of fluid between the well bore and thesecond conduit, also including a flow control valve carried by the housing and controlling flow through said passageway responsive to a pressure condition in one of the conduits and well bore, and further including a, valve member carried by the housing and movable to open and close said passageway independently of said flow control valve, said valve member including a part exposed for engagement by a tool manipulated in said first passage to move the valve member between open and closed positions whereby flow of fluid between the well bore and the second conduit can be interrupted irrespective of whether the flow control valve is open or closed by manipulating said valve member through the first conduit,

5, A well apparatus for controlling, by means of a mechanism manipulatable from the surface of the earth through a first conduit in a well, the flow of fluid between second and third conduits also in the well which comprises, n om n tion, a housin h vi g bstan i y parallel first and second passages therethrough separate from each other, said housing being adapted for connection as a part of the first and second conduits so that fluid fiow= ing through such conduits flows respectively through said first and second passages, said housing including a sleeve valve mounted in said first passage for movement between first and second positions'a passageway in said housing adapted to provide fluid communication between said third conduit and said second passage with a portion of the passageway being situated in said sleeve and the remainder of the passageway being situated in said housing so that movement of the sleeve to its first position places said passageway portion in register with said remainder of the passageway for fluid flow between the second and third conduits and movement of the sleeve to its second position moves said passageway portion therein out of register with said remainder of the passageway thereby blocking flow between the second and third conduits.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 in combination with a flow control valve carried by the housing to control flow through said passageway.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said flow control valve is of the pressure responsive type. 8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said sleeve valve includes a part engageable by a wire line tool insertable through said first passage to move the sleeve valve be-. tween its first and second positions. I

9. In a system for producing a well from upper and lower production zones, the apparatus which comprises first and second conduits extending into the well, packing means sealing the well against flow between the upper and lower zones with at least one of said conduits extending through the packing means, one of said conduits so extending providing an inlet thereto. communicating with the lower zone, the other conduit providing-an inlet communicating with the upper zone, and a valve assembly carried by the first conduit at a substantial depth in the. well and providing for flow of fluid. between said second conduit and a flow-way in the well exteriorly of both the first and second conduits, said assembly comprising a passageway therein communicating when open between said flow-way and said second conduit to conduct fluid therebetween, said assembly also including valve means movable to open and close said passageway, said valve means having a part exposed in the first conduit for so moving said valve means, and means movable through said first conduit to engagesaid part and being manipulatae ble from the earths surface to move said valve means between open and closed positions whereby flow between said flow-way and second conduit can be controlled by manipulation of said means movable through said first conduit. g V

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said valve means includes a sleeve valve in said first conduit and having a portion of said passageway disposed therein, said sleeve valve being movable to place said passageway portion in and out of register with the remainder of the passageway in said assembly to respectively permit and block flow through said passageway.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said means movable through said first conduit is a wire line tool adapted to be lowered through said first conduit to selectively engage said sleeve valve therein and move the same between positions where said passageway portion is respectively in and out of register with said remainder of said passageway.

12. The system of claim 11 in combination with a flow control valve carried by said assembly and controlling flow of fluid through said passageway independently of said valve means.

13. In a system for separately yet simultaneously producing a well from upper and lower production zones, an assembly including first and second conduits extending into the well bore, packing means sealing across the well bore and preventing flow between the upper and lower zones with at least one of said conduits extending through the packing means, one of the conduits so extending providing an inlet below the packing means adapted to communicate with the lower zone and the other conduit providing an inlet above the packing means adapted to communicate with the upper zone, said assemblies providing a plurality of vertically spaced apart passageways each extending between said second conduit and the well bore, a plurality of flow control valves carried by one of said conduits and each mounted to control flow through one of said passageways, and said assemblies also providing a plurality of valve means including valve members respectively controlling flow through said passageways, each of said valve members being movable independently of the operation of said flow control valves and relative to said first conduit to position such members across their respective passageways to block flow therethrough and then being movable out of flow blocking position to establish fluid communication in said passageways between the well bore and said second conduit, said valve means each including a part connected to the respective valve members and exposed to the interior of the first conduit for engagement by a mechanism movable through said first conduit and manipulatable from the earths surface to move said valve members into and out of flow blocking position.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein each of said valve members comprises a sleeve valve slidingly mounted in the first conduit and having a portion of a corresponding one of said passageways situated therein so that longitudinal shifting of the sleeve valve moves such passage way portion into and out of register with the remainder of the respective passageway, and wherein there is pro vided a wire line tool insertably movable through said first conduit to selectively engage any one of the parts connected to the sleeve valves to move the same to open and close a preselected one of said passageways whereby flow between said second conduit and said well bore can be controlled by manipulating said wire line tool in said first conduit.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said second conduit is substantially smaller in diameter than said first conduit.

16. A mandrel adapted for use in conjunction with two conduits disposed in a well bore to control flow between the well bore and one conduit of the two conduits in accordance with a manipulation in the other conduit of the two conduits which comprises, in combination, a hous ing having first and second substantially'parallel flow passages therethrough adapted to respectively conduct through the housing any fluid flowing through the. one conduit and the otherconduit, a first port in the housing communicating between its exterior and interior of said second passage, a second .port in the housing communieating between said second passage and said first passage, a'sleeve in said second passage having an internal bore forming a part of said second passage and also having a passageway therein extending with the sleeve in a first position between said first and second ports and confining flow of fluid from one port to be through the other port without comingling of fluid so flowing between the ports with fluid flowing through said second passage and the bore of said sleeve, said sleeve being shiftable to a second position to move said passageway therein out of register with at least one of said ports and to position an imperforate portion of the sleeve across one of said ports, said sleeve also having a part engageable by a tool manipulatable from the surface of the well to shift the sleeve between its first and second positions.

17. In a system for separately producing two zones in a well, the apparatus which comprises a first conduit and a second conduit extending into the well, and an assembly situated at a substantial depth in the well and providing for flow of fluid between said second conduit and a flow-way in the well exteriorly of both the first and second conduits, said assembly comprising a passageway therein communicating when open between said flow-way and said second conduit to conduct fluid therebetween, said assembly also including valve means movable to open and close said passageway, said valve means having a part exposed in the first conduit for so moving said valve means, and means movable through said first conduit to engage said part and being manipulatable from theearths surface to move said valve means between open and closed positions whereby flow between said flow-way and second conduit can be controlled by manipulation of said means movable through said first conduit.

18. As a subcombination, a mandrel adapted for use in conjunction with two conduits disposed in a well bore to control flow between the well bore and one conduit of the two conduits by a valve in the other conduit of the two conduits which comprises a housing having separate first and second flow passages extending therethrough which are adapted to be connected respectively with the one condiut and the other conduit so that fluid flowing through the one conduit and the other conduit likewise flows through the housing, said housing having a first port communicating between the housings exterior and said second passage and also a second port communicating between said second passage and said first passage, and means carried by the housing in said second'passage for receiving a wire line manipulatable valve for constraining flow through one of said ports to be through the other of said ports.

19. An apparatus which comprises, in combination, a housing having first and second passages therethrough which are adapted to be connected respectively with first and second conduits disposed in a well so that any fluid flowing through the first and second conduits likewise flows through the housing; and means operatively connected to the housing and including valve means in said first passage and having a part engageable by a tool in said first passage to manipulate the valve means, said housing and valve means providing a flow passageway therein adapted to provide communication when open between a third conduit in the well and said second passage which communication is controlled by said valve means.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said valve means is a sleeve shiftably mounted in said first passage.

21. An apparatus for use in conjunction with first and second conduits disposed in a well bore to control flow 11 between the well bore and. the seeond conduit :whichpcom prises,1in combination, a housing having separate figs: and lseeon'd flow v passages extending-5 therethmugh Jvvhich are adapted :to be connected respectively qzvith the :first apdseeond conduitsso ihatanyfluid fiowingi'through thesfirst and second conduits likewisexfiows throughisaid housing, said :housingmaving afimbport-zjhereip com.- mnnicating between 'the housingis .exteti'or :and said; first passageiand :also having a second port-s therein ie'ommuni-v eating between said first passage .andisaid second passage; and a wire line valve inthe-firstpassage providing flow communication when open between saidfirst and .seconif ports and when closed preventing such flow co nrnunica-' Bsfeveucss ite in t e .fi e of fl isp t nt UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,680,408 Davis June s,, 19s4 

